Semi-automatic linking machine

ABSTRACT

The device is designed to handle a link for a chandelier or other ornamental article. A vibrating hopper feeds the links on a slanted rail so that they slide down to a feed position. A latch adjacent the bottom end of the rail retains the links in a line on the rail. The machine moves a double guide member, one arm opening the latch and the other arm guiding the bottom link onto a horizontal slide rail in the machine. The guide member is withdrawn, allowing the latch to close and hold the remaining links on the rail. A ram moves the single link forwardly to an operating position. The operator now holds a pair of crystals, one in each hand on each side of the machine, so that the openings in the crystals are positioned between the end lugs on the link. The operator now activates the ram to move forwardly a short distance, sufficient to bend the link to move the U-shaped arms toward each other and to move the lugs into the openings in the crystals to complete the linkage. The ram is then withdrawn and the operation is repeated with the next link.

United States Patent [191 Kortick [451 Feb. 4, 1975 SEMI-AUTOMATICLINKING MACHINE [76] Inventor: Morris Kortick, 124 Paine Ave., Cranston,R1

22 Filed: Feb. 19, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 443,805

Primary Examiner-C. W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-Gene P. CrosbyAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Max Schwartz [57] ABSTRACT The device isdesigned to handle a link for a chandelier or other ornamental article.A vibrating hopper feeds the links on a slanted rail so that they slidedown to a feed position. A latch adjacent the bottom end of the railretains the links in a line on the rail. The machine moves a doubleguide member, one arm opening the latch and the other arm guiding thebottom link onto a horizontal slide rail in the machine. The guidemember is withdrawn, allowing the latch to close and hold the remaininglinks on the rail. A ram moves the single link forwardly to an operatingposition. The operator now holds a pair of crystals, one in each hand oneach side of the machine, so that the openings in the crystals arepositioned between the end lugs on the link. The operator now activatesthe ram to move forwardly a short distance, sufficient to bend the linkto move the U-shaped arms toward each other and to move the lugs intothe openings in the crystals to complete the linkage. The ram is thenwithdrawn and the operation is repeated with the next link.

l7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB 4W5 3.863.440

SHEET'IUF 3 I 74 :5? l v E i. 86 I l g i i PATENTED EB- 4l975 3.863.440

SHEEI 2 OF 3 SEMI-AUTOMATIC LINKING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCertain ornamental chains are too heavy to be connected withconventional wire links or similar linkage.

Different types of links have been designed to handle the heavierornaments, but heretofore, such links have required hand operations toassembly. An example is the Patent to Schonbek, No. 3,629,57 l issuedDec. 2l, 197 I. This shows a link used for connecting chandeliercrystals, but presenting an assembly problem. Such crystals require asuitable link for handling the comparatively heavy crystals and asuitable machine for eliminating the costly and time consuming handoperations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In US. Pat. application Ser. No. 347,233,entitled Link Construction For A Crystal Pendant, now Pat. No.3,820,20l, a link is illustrated which effectively handles the crystalsof a chandelier construction. The link comprises a pair of membersintegrally joined at the center and initially held in an invertedU-shape position. At each end, each member has an integral lug facingthe other member, the lugs being initially spaced. The machine of thepresent invention feeds these links from a hopper to a horizontalsupporting rail. A ram moves the link along the rail to an operatingposition toward the front of the machine. The operator inserts a crystalwith each hand between the lugs at each end of the link. The ram thenmoves forwardly to bend the link to a more flattened position, the lugsat each end moving toward each other through the crystal opening to linkthe crystals to each other. A latch mechanism now allows the next linkto move to the supporting rail to repeat the operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. I is a perspective view ofa semi-automatic linking machineembodying my present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof with the feed hopper removed;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation thereof;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are longitudinal sections showing the sequence ofoperation of the machine;

FIG. 7 is a front view, partly section. of the machine in the positionshown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, showing the initial feed operationas shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the link and crystals as linked bythe machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION While the machine of the present inventioncan be readily modified to handle most connecting links, for purposes ofillustration it is shown operating on the linkage shown in FIG. 9. Thelink 10 comprises a pair of generally rectangular elongated members 12integrally joined at the center at one edge by the strip 14. At theopposite central edge, each member 12 is provided with a strip portion16. At each end, each member 12 has an integral lug l8 entending towardthe other member. In the first two positions from the left in FIG. 9 thelink [0 is open. The chandelier crystals are provided with opposedopenings 22 adjacent opposite edges.

The machine feeds the links 10 to an assembly position. The operatorholds a pair of crystals 20, one in each hand. and positions them ateach end of the link 20 with the openings 22 aligned with the lugs I8.The machine then uses a power ram to bend the link into the positionshown to the right in FIG. 9, with the lugs 18 entering the openings 22.The operation is repeated with the crystal at the end to form a chain ofcrystals.

The above operation is performed by the machine of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. I, the machine is mounted on a base 24. Thebase supports a raised platform 26 on which a conventional vibratinghopper 28 is mounted. The machine is to the right of the hopper. A pairof supporting blocks 30 extend from the front edge of the baserearwardly. An inverted T- shaped support 32 is mounted trasverselyacross the blocks 30. A feed strip 34 extends from the top of the hopper28 to the vertical wall of the support 32, and a feed rail 36 is mountedon the top edge of the strip 34 together with a spaced parallel guide38. The links 10 slide from the hopper 28 along the feed rail 36 and areheld in proper alignment by the guide 38.

A supporting strip 40 extends from the machine at right angles to thebottom of the strip 34 forwardly of the base 24, see FIGS. 2 and 3, thefront end having a stop member 42. The top edge of the stip 40 forms afeed rail 44 with a central slot and sloping sides, FIGS. 7 and 8, sothat the strips 16 of the link 10 can ride in the slot and the ends withthe lugs are accommodated on the sloping sides. The links are movedacross the top of the rail portion 44 and are held in proper position bya triangular finger member 46 pivotally mounted at 48 adjacent the rear.The rear end of the member 46 rest on a spring 50 to resiliently urgethe finger down onto the rail portion 44 and the links 10 thereon.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the finger member 46 is providedwith a cut out portion 52 on its bottom edge opening on the end of thestrip 34. A latch member 54 is pivotally mounted adjacent the lower endof the strip 34, FIGS. 7 and 8, with an extended point 56 in the path ofthe links sliding on the rail 36. A coil spring 58 yielding retains thelatch point 56 in holding position, FIG. 7. The feed is provided by theconstruction to the right of the support strip 40 in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8. Apneumatic cylinder 60 is provided with a piston rod 62 on the front endof which is a block 64 having spaced, integral, horizontal arms. Thelower arm 66 slides horizontally through an opening in the strip 40 tocontact the lower end of the latch member 54, FIG. 8. The shorter upperarm 68 is adapted to slide through the cut out 52 in the finger member46.

When the cylinder 60 is activated to move the piston rod 62 and block 64to the left, the lower arm 66 causes the latch 54 to pivot against theaction of the spring 58 and to move the point 56 out of the way of thelinks 10. The links now slide down until the lowermost link ispositioned over the strip 40. At this point the link 10 encounters theend of the upper arm 68 which prevents any further movement of thelinks. Now, when the member 64'is withdrawn, the latch 54 is pulled intoholding position again by the spring 58, FIG. 7, leaving one link 10 onthe rail 44.

The link 10 resting on the rail 44 must now be moved forwardly againstthe stop 42. Mounted to the rear of the strip 40 is another pneumaticcylinder 70 having the operating piston 72 pushing a block 74. Forwardlyof the block 74 is the power block 76. A pin 78 extends horizontallyfrom adjacent the bottorn of theblock 74 into the block tiiThe pin 78has a cut out 80 at the upper edge and a pin 82 extends into the cut outin the block 76. This provides a delay or play between the blocks 74 and76 during both forward and rearward movements. A spring 84 at the topedge resiliently separates the blocks to provide a yielding slidingmovement.

The front upper portion of the block 76 is provided with a slanted camedge 86. Mounted on a support 88, FIG. 6, is a pneumatic press cylinder90 having a vertically operably piston 92 with a slanted bottom cam edge94 complementary to the cam edge 86 on the block 76. In operation, whenthe cylinder 70 is activated, the piston rod 72 pushes the blocks 74 and76 forwardly. An elongated ram member 96 extends horizontally forwardlyfrom the block 76 to slide along the rail 44 on the strip 40. The rammember 96 engages the link on the rail 44 and pushes it forwardly to thestop member 42, FIG. 6. At this point, the operator inserts the crystals20, one at each end of the link 10 on each side of the strip 40, withthe openings 22 in alignment with the lugs 18. A foot pedal nowactivates the pneumatic press cylinder 90 to plunge the piston 92sharply downwardly. The cam edge 94 engages the cam edge 86, FIG. 6,pushing the block 76 forwardly so that the ram member 96 squeezes thebends the link against the stop 42 into the final shape shown to theright in FIG. 9. This movement of the block 76 is done with a lostmotion effect, the block 74 remaining stationary, due to the cut out 80and pin 82.

Now the piston 92 is raised and the cylinder 70 is reversed to withdrawthe blocks 74 and 76 and ram members 96. The cylinder 60 is againactivated and the member 64 moves to feed another link to the rail 44.As the operation is repeated, the operator picks up one of the linkedcyrstals to hold on one side of the strip 40 with a fresh crystal on theother side. Thus, crystals are continually added to form a chain. Thechains of crystals can then be suitably assembled in a chandelier.

The machine of the present invention thus feeds a link to the assemblymachine, moves the link forwardly in a proper attitude for manuallyholding crystals, then closes the link to lock the crystals to the link.The operation is thus semiautomatic. The machine is readily adaptable tohandle any type link and is fairly simple and uncomplicated inconstruction. Other advantages of the present invention will be readilyapparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A linking machine comprising a base, a horizontal feed strip mountedfront to rear on said base, means for feeding successive links in openposition to said feed strip, means for moving each link forwardly onsaid strip, whereby an operator can hold objects to be linked on eachside of said strip in position in the link, and means for bending thelink into closed position to lock the objects to the link.

2. A linking machine as in claim 1, wherein a triangular member ismounted edgewise above said strip in pivoted relation to said strip, anda spring mounted at the rear of said member resiliently urging saidmember against the top of said strip to retain the link on said strip.

3. A linking machine as in claim 1, wherein said bending means includesa pneumatic press vertically mounted over said horizontal feed strip,said press acting on said moving means to force said moving means intobending the link.

4. A linking machine as in claim 1, wherein said means for moving thelink forwardly comprises a pneumatic cylinder mounted in alignmentbehind said strip, a piston extending from said cylinder. a blockarrangement mounted on the front end of said piston, and an elongatedram member extending from said block arrangement, said ram beingslidable along the top edge of said strip to move a link forwardly onsaid strip when said cylinder is activated.

5. A linking machine as in claim 4, wherein said block arrangementcomprises a pair of blocks in spaced relation, one of said blocks havinga horizontal pin extending toward the other of said blocks and the otherof said blocks hav'iiigarr'bpeniag for receiving said pin, said pinhaving a cut out portion at the top edge and said other block having atransverse locking pin extending through said cut out portion to locksaid blocks to each other but permit relative movement therebetweenalong said out out portion in a lost motion effect, and a coil springbetween said blocks to resiliently retain said blocks in spacedposition.

6. A linking machine as in claim 5, wherein the forward block isprovided with a slanted cam edge at the top forward end, a pneumaticpress is vertically mounted over said horizontal feed strip, said presshaving a vertically operably piston, the lower end of said piston havinga slanted cam edge complementary to said block cam edge, whereby saidpiston cam edge will engage said block cam edge to force said block andram member forwardly to bend the link into closed position.

7. A linking machine as in claim 1, wherein said feeding means comprisesa vibrating hopper, a feed strip extending from said hopper top to saidhorizontal feed strip, and a guide in spaced parallel relation to thetop of said hopper feed strip to retain the links of said feed strip.

8. A linking machine as in claim 7, wherein a latch member is pivotallymounted adjacent the bottom end of said hopper feed strip, said latchmember having a pointed portion adapted to extend into the path ofmovement of the links along said hopper feed strip to hold the links, acoil spring mounted on said strip to resiliently retain said latchmember in holding position, and means for pivoting said latch againstthe action of said spring to release successive links from said strip.

9. A linking machine as in claim 8, wherein said latch releasing meanscomprises a pneumatic cylinder mounted at right angles to saidhorizontal feed strip, a pistion extending from said cylinder and havinga block at its outer end, a pair of spaced horizontal arms extendingfrom said block, the lower of said arms contacting said latch member topivot said latch member into open position when said cylinder isactivated, and the upper arm guiding the lowermost link in position ofsaid horizontal feed strip. 14

10. A linking machine as in claim 1, wherein said strip is provided witha rail top edge shaped to conform to the structure of the link being fedthereon, said strip having a stop element at the front end thereof, saidbending means squeezing the link against said stop element.

11. A linking machine as in claim 10, wherein a triangular member ismounted edgewise above said strip is pivoted relation to said strip, amda spring mounted at the rear of said member resiliently urging saidmemher against the top of said strip to retain the link on said strip.

12. A linking machine as in claim 10, wherein said means for moving thelink forwardly comprises a pneumatic cylinder mounted in alignmentbehind said strip, a piston extending from said cylinder, :1 blockarrangement mounted on the front end of said piston, and an elongatedram member extending from said block arrangement, said ram beingslidable along the top edge of said strip to move a link forwardly onsaid strip when said cylinder is activated.

13. A linking machine as in claim 12, wherein said block arrangementcomprises a pair of blocks in spaced relation, one of said blocks havinga horizontal pin extending toward the other of said blocks and the otherof said blocks having an opening for receiving said pin said pin havinga cut out portion at the top edge and said other block having atransverse locking pin extending through said cut out portion to locksaid blocks to each other but permit relative movement therebetweenalong said cut out portion in a lost motion effect, and a coil springbetween said blocks to resiliently retain said blocks in spacedposition.

14. A linking machine as in claim 11, wherein said feeding meanscomprises a vibrating hopper, a feed strip extending from said hoppertop to said horizontal feed strip, and a guide in spaced parallelrelation to the top of said hopper feed strip to retain the links onsaid feed strip.

15. A linking machine as in claim 14, wherein a latch member ispivotally mounted adjacent the bottom end of said hopper feed strip,said latch member having a pointed portion adapted to extend into thepath of movement of the links along said hopper feed strip to hold thelinks, a coil spring mounted on said strip to resiliently retain saidlatch member in holding position, and means for pivoting said latchagainst the action of said spring to release successive links from saidstrip.

16. A linking machine as in claim l5. wherein said latch releasing meanscomprises a pneumatic cylinder mounted at right angles to saidhorizontal feed strip, a piston extending from said cylinder and havinga block at its outer end, a pair of spaced horizontal arms extendingfrom said block, the lower of said arms contacting said latch member topivot said latch member into open position when said cylinder isactivated, and the upper arm guiding the lowermost link is position onsaid horizontal feed strip.

17. A linking machine as in claim 16, wherein said means for moving thelink forwardly comprises a pneumatic cylinder mounted in alignmentbehind said strip, a piston extending from said cylinder, a blockarrangement mounted on the front end of said piston, and an elongatedram member extending from said block arrangement, said ram member beingslidable along the top edge of said strip to move the link forwardly onsaid strip when said cylinder is activated.

1. A linking machine comprising a base, a horizontal feed strip mountedfront to rear on said base, means for feeding successive links in openposition to said feed strip, means for moving each link forwardly onsaid strip, whereby an operator can hold objects to be linked on eachside of said strip in position in the link, and means for bending thelink into closed position to lock the objects to the link.
 2. A linkingmachine as in claim 1, wherein a triangular member is mounted edgewiseabove said strip in pivoted relation to said strip, and a spring mountedat the rear of said member resiliently urging said member against thetop of said strip to retain the link on said strip.
 3. A linking machineas in claim 1, wherein said bending means includes a pneumatic pressvertically mounted over said horizontal feed strip, said press acting onsaid moving means to force said moving means into bending the link.
 4. Alinking machine as in claim 1, wherein said means for moving the linkforwardly comprises a pneumatic cylinder mounted in alignment behindsaid strip, a piston extending from said cylinder, a block arrangementmounted on thE front end of said piston, and an elongated ram memberextending from said block arrangement, said ram being slidable along thetop edge of said strip to move a link forwardly on said strip when saidcylinder is activated.
 5. A linking machine as in claim 4, wherin saidblock arrangement comprises a pair of blocks in spaced relation, one ofsaid blocks having a horizontal pin extending toward the other of saidblocks and the other of said blocks having an opening for receiving saidpin, said pin having a cut out portion at the top edge and said otherblock having a transverse locking pin extending through said cut outportion to lock said blocks to each other but permit relative movementtherebetween along said cut out portion in a ''lost motion'' effect, anda coil spring between said blocks to resiliently retain said blocks inspaced position.
 6. A linking machine as in claim 5, wherein the forwardblock is provided with a slanted cam edge at the top forward end, apneumatic press is vertically mounted over said horizontal feed strip,said press having a vertically operable piston, the lower end of saidpiston having a slanted cam edge complementary to said block cam edge,whereby said piston cam edge will engage said block cam edge to forcesaid block and ram member forwardly to bend the link into closedposition.
 7. A linking machine as in claim 1, wherein said feeding meanscomprises a vibrating hopper, a feed strip extending from said hoppertop to said horizontal feed strip, and a guide in spaced parallelrelation to the top of said hopper feed strip to retain the links ofsaid feed strip.
 8. A linking machine as in claim 7, wherein a latchmember is pivotally mounted adjacent the bottom end of said hopper feedstrip, said latch member having a pointed portion adapted to extend intothe path of movement of the links along said hopper feed strip to holdthe links, a coil spring mounted on said strip to resiliently retainsaid latch member in holding position, and means for pivoting said latchagainst the action of said spring to release successive links from saidstrip.
 9. A linking machine as in claim 8, wherein said latch releasingmeans comprises a pneumatic cylinder mounted at right angles to saidhorizontal feed strip, a pistion extending from said cylinder and havinga block at its outer end, a pair of spaced horizontal arms extendingfrom said block, the lower of said arms contacting said latch member topivot said latch member into open position when said cylinder isactivated, and the upper arm guiding the lowermost link in position ofsaid horizontal feed strip.
 10. A linking machine as in claim 1, whereinsaid strip is provided with a rail top edge shaped to conform to thestructure of the link being fed thereon, said strip having a stopelement at the front end thereof, said bending means squeezing the linkagainst said stop element.
 11. A linking machine as in claim 10, whereina triangular member is mounted edgewise above said strip is pivotedrelation to said strip, amd a spring mounted at the rear of said memberresiliently urging said member against the top of said strip to retainthe link on said strip.
 12. A linking machine as in claim 10, whereinsaid means for moving the link forwardly comprises a pneumatic cylindermounted in alignment behind said strip, a piston extending from saidcylinder, a block arrangement mounted on the front end of said piston,and an elongated ram member extending from said block arrangement, saidram being slidable along the top edge of said strip to move a linkforwardly on said strip when said cylinder is activated.
 13. A linkingmachine as in claim 12, wherein said block arrangement comprises a pairof blocks in spaced relation, one of said blocks having a horizontal pinextending toward the other of said blocks and the other of said blockshaving an opening for receiving said pin, said pin having a cut outportion at the top edge and said other block having a tranSverse lockingpin extending through said cut out portion to lock said blocks to eachother but permit relative movement therebetween along said cut outportion in a ''lost motion'' effect, and a coil spring between saidblocks to resiliently retain said blocks in spaced position.
 14. Alinking machine as in claim 11, wherein said feeding means comprises avibrating hopper, a feed strip extending from said hopper top to saidhorizontal feed strip, and a guide in spaced parallel relation to thetop of said hopper feed strip to retain the links on said feed strip.15. A linking machine as in claim 14, wherein a latch member ispivotally mounted adjacent the bottom end of said hopper feed strip,said latch member having a pointed portion adapted to extend into thepath of movement of the links along said hopper feed strip to hold thelinks, a coil spring mounted on said strip to resiliently retain saidlatch member in holding position, and means for pivoting said latchagainst the action of said spring to release successive links from saidstrip.
 16. A linking machine as in claim 15, wherein said latchreleasing means comprises a pneumatic cylinder mounted at right anglesto said horizontal feed strip, a piston extending from said cylinder andhaving a block at its outer end, a pair of spaced horizontal armsextending from said block, the lower of said arms contacting said latchmember to pivot said latch member into open position when said cylinderis activated, and the upper arm guiding the lowermost link is positionon said horizontal feed strip.
 17. A linking machine as in claim 16,wherein said means for moving the link forwardly comprises a pneumaticcylinder mounted in alignment behind said strip, a piston extending fromsaid cylinder, a block arrangement mounted on the front end of saidpiston, and an elongated ram member extending from said blockarrangement, said ram member being slidable along the top edge of saidstrip to move the link forwardly on said strip when said cylinder isactivated.